Ancajas grades performance of Thai champ

World champion Jerwin Ancajas attends the One Championship event at thr Impact Arena in Bangkok on Saturday night in the hopes of luring Srisaket Sor Rungvisai to a unification war. (Joven Sports)

by Nick Giongco

Jerwin Ancajas watched Srisaket Sor Rungvisai’s successful defense of the World Boxing Council super-flyweight crown late Saturday night in Bangkok and the Filipino was quick to take note of his potential foe’s glaring flaws.

“Sor Rungvisai leaves himself open because he has this habit of dropping his hands,” Ancajas, the International Boxing Federation titleholder, said after seeing Sor Rungvisai carve out a lopsided 12-round decision over Iran Diaz of Mexico ONE: Kingdom of Heroes held at the Impact Arena.

What brought a wide grin on Ancajas’ face was Sor Rungvisai’s willingness to take punches.

“He allows himself to get hit,” said Ancajas, who was just a few feet away from the Thai’s corner.

Joven Jimenez, who joined Ancajas in Bangkok alongside US matchmaker Sean Gibbons and son Brendan and Team Ancajas social media staffer Mark Lontayao, was likewise pleased with what they saw.

“Sor Rungvisai is right there in front of you and he doesn’t mind getting hit,” said Jimenez.

“This is the type of fighter Jerwin wants, a style that would bring out the best in him,” added Jimenez.

Gibbons, who orchestrated everything to lure fight fans into wanting to see Ancajas square off with Sor Rungvisai in the all-southpaw clash, was drooling as well.

“This is how you create promotion and excitement. Styles really make fights,” said Gibbons.

“My man is very comfortable. We found the guy that is the signature fight (for Ancajas). I think this is it.”

Ancajas is coming off a lackluster draw with Mexican Alejandro Santiago in Oakland and traveled to Thailand to create awareness about his desire to engage Sor Rngvisai in a unification war.

Gibbons points to Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum as having the crucial role in determining whether an Ancajas-Sor Rungvisai is doable or not.

Arum had also declared during the runup to Ancajas fight that he can get a deal in place for a Sor Rungvisai fight.